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Action to Tackle Child Poverty in Scotland

Local MSP Maree Todd, Minister for Childcare and Early Years , has welcomed a range of Scottish Government proposals to tackle child poverty – including plans for a new income supplement, which will provide financial support to families who need it most.

Increasing family incomes and reducing living costs are prioritised in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, which sets out how the Scottish Government will meet ambitious legal targets to tackle child poverty.

Actions include a new £12 million employment support fund will help parents in work progress their careers and support unemployed parents into work.

Other initiatives include a new national entitlement for the School Clothing Grant, to help with the costs of uniforms and sports kits, and new support for after-school and holiday childcare, helping parents work more flexibly and increase their incomes.

The report comes after independent analysis found that, if the Scottish Government did nothing, Tory welfare cuts would mean 38% of Scottish children would be in relative poverty by 2030/31.

Maree Todd MSP said:

“In a country as prosperous as Scotland no child should have their chances limited by poverty.

“I’m delighted that this ambitious plan includes a range of actions to support families in the Highlands and Islands with the cost of living and direct financial support.

“And the ambitious proposal for a new, targeted income supplement show that, when we have the power, the SNP will take action to make Scotland a fairer, stronger country.

“Under Tory cuts, money being is taken from the pockets of low income families, pushing them into crisis, debt, and poverty, with our public services and emergency aid responding as best they can.

“That is why the SNP in government will take action to increase household incomes and reduce costs, supporting children and families here and now.”

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